The Upper Rung - Company Operations - Brief Article

Industry Standard, The, Oct 9, 2000 by Sherri Eng

HOW I CLIMBED THE LADDER

Rayna Brown

Vice President of People, Vividence

Brown handles all personnel issues for the San Mateo, Calif., online user-testing company, including coaching senior executives.

My first "real" job: I was a social worker at Edwin Gould Services for Children in Queens, N.Y., managing a caseload of 30 foster children.

My advice for young managers: Prove yourself. You still have to roll up your sleeves and get involved with a job.

Best part of my job: The people! I enjoy being at the center of every organizational activity. You can't do anything -- hire, merge or open an international office -- without [working with] the VP of people.

The way I retain my employees: I provide mentorship. What retains people is [giving them] the opportunity to learn and grow. You also have to give them real-time feedback and reward and recognize their efforts.

What keeps me up at night: Everything. I'm a big worrier. I worry about being able to find enough quality employees for the company. I worry about retaining the ones we have.

I like to relax by: I work out, read the classics, paint (mystical and American Indian subjects), watch movies and listen to music -- anything from opera to heavy metal and rap.